Nashikubo ruins

The Nashikubo ruins, located in Okaya, Nagano, Japan, represent a significant Jōmon period settlement with a complex array of domestic and funerary features. Spanning from the early to the late Jōmon period (4000–1000 BCE), the site showcases a continuum of habitation with pit dwellings evolving over time. The early phase consisted of foundational pit dwellings, which expanded during the middle Jōmon period, featuring a characteristic Nashikubo style pottery with a woven bamboo motif. The late Jōmon period saw the addition of flagstone floor dwellings. A remarkable aspect of the site is its extensive number of tombs, which suggests a well-established community with complex social structures. The presence of jade and amber grave goods points to long-distance trade networks during this era.